'Plain' means simple, without decoration, or a flat landscape; 'plane' is an aircraft or a flat surface.
Adjective: simple, without decoration or embellishment. Noun: a large area of flat land.
She prefers plain coffee without milk or sugar.
In plain English, the answer is no.
The Great Plains stretch across the central United States.
Noun: an aircraft. Also a flat mathematical surface or the woodworking tool for smoothing surfaces.
Their plane lands at Heathrow at quarter past two.
The two lines meet at the same plane in geometry.
The carpenter used a plane to smooth the rough timber.
Common mistake
Confusing them in fast writing: "We caught a plain to Paris" (correct: plane). Or "The design is very plane" (correct: plain — meaning simple).
Trick to remember it
'Plane' ends with E like 'engines' — aircraft have engines. 'Plain' ends in AIN like 'rain' — the plains get a lot of rain and are wide open.
Quick rule
Is it an aircraft or a flat mathematical surface? 'Plane'. Is it something simple or a flat landscape? 'Plain'.
Did you know?
'Plain English' is a communication movement promoting clear, straightforward language free of jargon. Both the UK and US governments have official plain language guidelines, and many legal documents are now required to be written in plain English.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
The company booked a private _____ to fly the delegation to the summit.
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
Could you explain it in _____ language? The legal jargon is confusing.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Is it an aircraft or a flat mathematical surface? 'Plane'. Is it something simple or a flat landscape? 'Plain'.
Confusing them in fast writing: "We caught a plain to Paris" (correct: plane). Or "The design is very plane" (correct: plain — meaning simple).
'Plane' ends with E like 'engines' — aircraft have engines. 'Plain' ends in AIN like 'rain' — the plains get a lot of rain and are wide open.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy